141 Cartier A very rare and collectable, open-face minute repeater pocket watch in yellow gold converted into a wristwatch, with silvered dial.

Estimate: € 20,000 –⁠ 40,000

The collaboration between Cartier and European Watch & Clock Co. represents one of the most refined and exclusive partnerships in early 20th-century horology, blending Cartier’s signature elegance with the technical mastery of one of Switzerland’s most respected manufacturers. The present timepiece, originally crafted as a minute-repeating pocket watch and later converted into a wristwatch through two elegantly designed bars on the case back, embodies the luxurious aesthetic and mechanical sophistication of this prestigious alliance. Encased in yellow gold, the watch measures an impressive 50 mm in diameter, maintaining the grand presence of a classic pocket watch while adapting seamlessly to its wrist-worn form. The dial is a masterpiece of understated refinement, featuring a silvered surface with delicately applied gold Breguet numerals that radiate warmth and vintage charm. A railway minute track runs along the periphery, ensuring precision in time reading, while the hands, in a matching golden hue, are executed in Cartier’s distinctively elegant style. The crown, positioned at 12 o’clock, retains the traditional pocket watch orientation, reinforcing its heritage while adding a unique touch to its wristwatch conversion. At the heart of this timepiece lies a manual-winding movement produced by European Watch & Clock Co., a firm renowned for its high-quality calibers often found in Cartier’s most exquisite watches. The minute repeater complication elevates this piece to a realm of horological artistry, allowing the wearer to audibly chime the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand, a feature synonymous with only the most prestigious timepieces. This watch represents a remarkable fusion of tradition and innovation, standing as both a historical artifact and a wearable work of art. The trend of converting pocket watches into wristwatches was notably popularized by Gianni Agnelli, the legendary Italian industrialist and style icon, who famously wore oversized timepieces over his cuff, making a bold statement that redefined elegance and practicality. His penchant for these unique conversions set a precedent in high fashion and watch collecting, inspiring generations of enthusiasts to appreciate the charm and distinction of such extraordinary timepieces.